Cartrema americana
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Osmanthus americanus
- Phonetic Spelling
- kar-tray-mah a-mer-ih-KAY-na
- Description
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Devilwood is a small, evergreen tree that may grow 15 to 20 feet tall. The leaves are opposite with a smooth to slightly wavy margin and rusty colored underside. The bark is gray-brown and finely scaly. In spring, small, urn-shaped, white flowers mature on the previous year's growth. The small tree produces a dark blue drupe that matures in the fall. It also produces fragrant flowers. This tree is found naturally in maritime forests in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. It is also found in inland sandy forests. This plant is dioecious: male pollinator plants are required to get a female fruit set.
Synonym: Cartrema americana
Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating.
Seasons of Interest:
Leaf: Fall Blooms: Spring Nut/Fruit/Seed: Late Summer/Fall
Form: loose habit
Exposure: range of soil conditions
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cartrema
- Species:
- americana
- Family:
- Oleaceae
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Coastal Plains
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Provides cover during the winter and extreme weather. Fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-trunked
- Open
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- Displays in late summer and fall between August and October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Urn
- Flower Description:
- In the spring, small, urn-shaped, white flowers mature on the previous years growth of the Devilwood. This plant produces a dark blue drupe that matures in the fall. Flowers bloom April-May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Seasons of Interest: Fall The leaf of the Devilwood is 2 to 4.5 in., opposite, simple and dark green. It is entire, with a smooth to slightly wavy margin and has a rusty colored underside. If grown in the sun, the leaves turn a yellow-green in the fall.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Salt
